Patty McConnell cut her first record, a small black 45-rpm, while singing “How Much Is That Doggie in the Window.” She sang it on the radio in Bismarck, North Dakota. She was three years old. Patty went on to future fame at age 13 for singing “The Auctioneer” on Channel 13, the Chubby Howard Show. She honors that accomplishment by claiming the tune even today as her theme song.
A musically inclined family “who sang and played a lot” contributed to Patty’s success at forming her own band. Her mother played fiddle, her sisters sang and two of them played guitar with one who played both guitar and keyboard. Her brother is a harpsichordist.
Patty first joined a band in 1971. By 1972 she headed out on the road as Patty and The Travelin’ Four Band. The first of the current musicians who now compose the traveling team formed in 1982 with others joining within the next ten years. Judy Hayes, bass guitar, has played the full ten-year stint. She and drummer, Jim Hollinger, work together to garner audience appreciation. Lead guitarist Larry Broad, who also plays the fiddle and does vocals, has been travelin’ with the band for six years. He’s also been a tap dancer, line dancer and roller skater. Kevin Parr, lead guitar off-and-on for seven years, literally pulls out an audience gift when he slips the harmonica into his performance. And Patty? She’s out there hugging and dancing with followers that trail her on the band’s travels. She is the bandleader, vocalist, emcee, performs with the tambourine, and more.
Familiar lyrics, strong beat, a time to cuddle, or a time to rock. Patty and The Travelin’ Four capture it all at a comfortable local setting. Their music includes country standards, waltz, swing and classic rock. They have regularly scheduled play dates at Black Diamond Eagles Hall (at the intersection of Railroad Avenue and Baker street) two Fridays a month. The Eagles have an open door invitational policy. “We are here to serve the public.” Children sometimes accompany their parents or grandparents. A very young cowboy gets up to line dance with adults. A little girl quietly completes puzzles and games at a table in an open area room. Next up in February and March on the Eagles’ schedule are three Fridays at 5:30 pm where an $8.00 dinner can be purchased – February 16, March 2 and March 16.
Did you like the songs and lyrics that musically documented emotional recovery after the War ended? Have you preferred music from throughout the 50’s? Patty and her band have it covered stanza by stanza. Patty and The Travelin’ Four capture the intent of the word “rock” from the psychedelic 60’s to Bob Marley and the Wailers in the 70’s. Patty’s musical memories may even have you tuning into YouTube for a video on the dance you had forgotten how to do, The Mashed Potato. Patty encourages requests from the audience. Most commonly requested, she said, are old country favorites like those of Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn. “Line dancers follow us,” said Patty of the friends who seek out consistent venues to hear their favorites like “Pink Cadillac,” “Elvira,” and “Boot Scootin’ Boogie”.
For dancers who want to join pursuit of the traveling band, there are two Tuesday stints at Enumclaw Senior Center, February 13 and March 13, both at 10:30 am, along with a variety of morning, afternoon and evening bookings in Cle Elum, Puyallup, Normandy Park, Port Orchard, SeaTac, White Center Eagles and White Center Salvation Army. For information regarding the band’s schedule, to book the band, or to privately hire them (weddings, anniversaries, etc.) contact Patty at 253-249-8788. As Dean Martin sang, “That’s Amore.”
